Min Hee-jin broke down in court, shouting “I am innocent,” denying any involvement in manipulating NewJeans to terminate their contract.

(Seoul, 28th) Former ADOR CEO Min Hee-jin attended the third hearing in her civil lawsuit against HYBE regarding shareholder agreements and the put option amount. Min appeared in court, breaking down in tears multiple times while describing the immense mental stress and unfair treatment she endured during the dispute and her dismissal.

In court, she stated: “I was under so much mental stress that I had to leave. Yet they discussed money with me—it made me extremely angry and feel wronged.” She emphasized that she was capable of turning NewJeans into a world-class team, but could not understand why she was dismissed: “I did nothing wrong—why should others be hurt as well?”

Min firmly denied any wrongdoing and highlighted that she managed the company transparently yet was removed without explanation. Due to overwhelming stress, she resigned from her internal board position and exercised her put option in accordance with the agreement.

Addressing allegations of “illegal contact,” she countered: “It’s completely false, I feel wronged.” Regarding claims that NewJeans member Hanni participated in national oversight under her direction, she strongly denied it, stressing that the members are independent and intelligent, never controlled.

On the accusation of manipulating NewJeans to terminate contracts, she explained that she was busy planning their world tour, and court records confirm that contract termination provided her no benefit. She questioned whether a single statement could unilaterally void the exclusive contracts of NewJeans.

Concerning the ILLIT plagiarism controversy, she revealed that NewJeans’ parents were the first to raise concerns and considered internal copying within the company as “disrespectful.” She even emailed HYBE chairman Bang Si-hyuk: “Was I brought in just to be plagiarized?”

Min also recalled in detail how Bang personally recruited her shortly after she left SM Entertainment in late 2018, even offering to speak with her parents to ensure she would succeed.

The lawsuit centers on whether her exercise of the put option worth approximately KRW 26 billion is legally valid. Min argues HYBE’s prior contract termination notice was invalid, thus the option is effective; HYBE claims the shareholder agreement ended in July last year, making the put option void.

As some KakaoTalk messages from the NewJeans exclusive contract were admitted as evidence, observers expect the ruling may influence the case. The final debate is scheduled for December 18, with the first-instance judgment expected early next year.